Number of alleged victims double as special education teacher indicted for prolific abuse

Vincent Root, a special education teacher, abused students, prosecutors say. (Office of the Burlington County Prosecutor)

The sexual abuse allegations against a special education teacher have doubled in scope in a new indictment. Vincent Root, 59, now faces trial for mistreating a total of 14 students, according to prosecutors in Burlington County, New Jersey. Authorities last year had the victim count as only seven.

Root, who taught at Chatsworth Elementary School, was first charged in October 2023.

“The investigation began last month after a student came forward and accused Root of touching him inappropriately during previous school years,” prosecutors wrote. “The investigation revealed that the victims, all of whom are male, were touched in classrooms inside the school building. The investigation further revealed that the abuse occurred over a multi-year period. The names, ages and further details about the victims are being withheld in an attempt to protect the identity of the victims.”